NEET Biology · Cell Biology PYQ
NEET Cell: The Unit of Life PYQ (2020–2025)
Cell: The Unit of Life is a P1 NEET Biology chapter — ~4% weightage on trend, often 1–2 questions per paper. Foundational for understanding subsequent Biology chapters (biomolecules, cell cycle, photosynthesis, respiration). Organelle structure and function is the single most-tested category.
Cell Biology PYQs spanning NEET 2020 to NEET 2025, tagged by sub-topic (cell theory, organelles, prokaryote vs eukaryote, plasma membrane). NCERT Class 11 Chapter 8 line-level references in every solution.
Cell: The Unit of Life at a Glance
Try 5 Real Cell: The Unit of Life PYQs
5 real NEET questions on Cell: The Unit of Life, straight from past papers. Try them, then check the answer.
- Q1NEET 2025
A specialised membranous structure in a prokaryotic cell which helps in cell well wall formation, DNA replication and respiration is
- Cristae
- Endoplasmic Reticulum
- Mesosome
- Chromatophores
- Q2NEET 2025
What is the main function of the spindle fibers during mitosis?
- To repair damaged DNA
- To regulate cell growth
- To separate the chromosomes
- To synthesize new DNA
- Q3NEET 2024
The DNA present in chloroplast is:
- Linear, double stranded
- Circular, double stranded
Linear, single stranded.
Circular, single stranded.
- Q4NEET 2024 (Re-Examination)
Match List-I with List-II.
List - I List - II (A) Cells are metabolically active and proliferate (I) G$_2$ phase (B) DNA replication takes place (II) G$_1$ phase (C) Proteins are synthesised (III) G$_0$ phase (D) Quiescent stage with metabolically active cells (IV) S phase Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
- A-IV, B-II, C-III, D-I
- A-I, B-III, C-IV, D-II
- A-I, B-I, C-III, D-IV
- A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III
- Q5NEET 2023
Which of the following functions is carried out by cytoskeleton in a cell?
- Protein synthesis
- Motility
- Transportation
- Nuclear division
Practise the full Cell: The Unit of Life set
Every past-paper question of this chapter, with solutions, timing and your accuracy tracked.
Key Sub-Topics & What's Tested
Cell Theory
Schleiden & Schwann (1838-39), Virchow (1855) — all cells arise from pre-existing cells. Exceptions (viruses) noted.
Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cell
Size, nucleus (true vs nucleoid), organelles, ribosomes (70S vs 80S), cell wall composition (peptidoglycan vs cellulose/chitin).
Cell Wall
Plant cell wall (cellulose primary + hemicellulose), fungal (chitin), bacterial (peptidoglycan), mycoplasma (no cell wall).
Plasma Membrane
Fluid mosaic model (Singer-Nicolson), lipid bilayer composition, membrane proteins (peripheral/integral), transport types (passive/active/facilitated).
Endomembrane System
ER (rough with ribosomes, smooth for lipid synthesis), Golgi apparatus (cis-medial-trans), lysosomes (hydrolytic enzymes), vacuoles (plant).
Mitochondria & Chloroplast
Double-membrane organelles, semi-autonomous (own DNA + 70S ribosomes), endosymbiont theory origin, mitochondria ATP synthesis, chloroplast photosynthesis.
Ribosomes
Non-membrane organelles, 70S (prokaryotes + mitochondria + chloroplast), 80S (eukaryote cytoplasm). Subunits: 50S+30S or 60S+40S.
Nucleus & Chromosomes
Nuclear envelope (double, with pores), nucleoplasm, nucleolus, chromatin (euchromatin vs heterochromatin), chromosome types (metacentric, submetacentric, acrocentric, telocentric).
Question Type Distribution
| Question Type | Share (approx) | Example Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Organelle Function Matching | 25% | Match each organelle (ER, Golgi, mitochondria, lysosome) with its primary function. |
| Prokaryote vs Eukaryote Comparison | 20% | Which of the following is characteristic of prokaryotic cells? (70S ribosomes, no membrane organelles) |
| Plasma Membrane Properties | 15% | Identify the model of plasma membrane currently accepted. (Fluid mosaic model - Singer & Nicolson, 1972) |
| Organelle Structure | 20% | How many membranes surround chloroplast? (Answer: 2 — outer and inner) |
| Ribosome Types | 10% | Which ribosomes are found in mitochondria? (70S — supports endosymbiont theory) |
| Chromosome Morphology | 10% | Identify the position of centromere in metacentric chromosome. (Exactly in the middle — equal arms) |
How to Solve Cell: The Unit of Life PYQs
- 1Memorise the organelle function table. Each organelle has a signature function (ER — protein synthesis, Golgi — packaging, lysosome — digestion, mitochondria — ATP). Know all 10+ organelles.
- 2Draw cell diagrams from memory. Typical plant cell, typical animal cell, mitochondrion, chloroplast, nucleus. NCERT figures appear verbatim in PYQs.
- 3Prokaryote vs Eukaryote: 5-point checklist. Size, nucleus, ribosome type, organelles, cell division. Know differences on each point.
- 4Endosymbiont theory evidence: double membrane + own DNA + 70S ribosomes. Mitochondria and chloroplast both exhibit these — strong evidence of endosymbiotic origin. Common PYQ template.
- 5Chromosome classification by centromere position. Metacentric (middle), submetacentric (slightly off-middle), acrocentric (near end), telocentric (at end). Know all four.
Common Mistakes That Cost Marks
- Saying prokaryotes have no ribosomes. Prokaryotes have ribosomes — 70S type (vs 80S in eukaryote cytoplasm). "No membrane-bound organelles" is the correct distinguishing feature.
- Confusing 70S and 80S ribosomes. 70S = prokaryotes + mitochondria + chloroplast. 80S = eukaryote cytoplasm. Subunits: 50S+30S = 70S (not 80S). 60S+40S = 80S.
- Thinking nuclear envelope is single membrane. Nuclear envelope has TWO membranes (outer and inner) with nuclear pores connecting them. Double-membrane like mitochondria.
- Treating lysosomes as photosynthetic organelles. Lysosomes are hydrolytic enzyme sacs — digestion. Chloroplasts are photosynthetic. Completely different organelles.
- Calling the cytoplasm an organelle. Cytoplasm is the fluid in which organelles float. Not an organelle itself — distinction matters in PYQs.
Related NEET Practice
Frequently asked questions
How many Cell Biology PYQs should I solve?
Target 60–80 PYQs across NEET 2020 to NEET 2025. Given its foundational role and ~4% weightage on trend, consistent practice here accelerates downstream chapters (Cell Cycle, Photosynthesis, Respiration).
Is NCERT Class 11 Chapter 8 enough?
Yes — NCERT Ch 8 covers the chapter thoroughly. Pair with PYQs for NCERT-line recall. Coaching summaries add marginal value.
What's the most-tested Cell Biology PYQ pattern?
Organelle function matching. Appears in nearly every NEET paper in some form. Master the organelle-function table and this category is locked.
Do I need to know ultrastructure of every organelle?
Ultrastructure at the NCERT level — yes. Fine details beyond NCERT are coaching-overkill. Focus on what NCERT diagrams show.
Why are mitochondria called semi-autonomous?
They have their own DNA (circular, 70S ribosomes like prokaryotes) but rely on nuclear DNA for most proteins. Semi-independent. Endosymbiont theory explains this.
Which chromosome type has centromere near one end?
Acrocentric chromosome. Telocentric has centromere AT the end (extreme case). Metacentric and submetacentric have centromere near middle.
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